England, Scotland and Wales
New Style Jobseeker's Allowance (New Style JSA)
Last verified: 3 October 2026. We check the official source every night. How we verify.
A contribution-based benefit if you are unemployed or working 16 hours a week or less and you have paid enough National Insurance. You can get it on its own or with Universal Credit.
How much you could get
The amount depends on your circumstances. We do not publish a figure unless it is tied to a tax year and an official source.
Check the current amount on the official page.
Who can claim
You usually need to be 18 or over, under State Pension age, available for and actively seeking work, and have paid enough National Insurance in recent tax years.
Eligibility conditions
These are the structured conditions Benefit Badger uses in the eligibility check. They are a guide, not a decision.
- You live in the UK.
- You live in England, Scotland or Wales.
- You are 18 or over.
- You are under State Pension age.
- You are unemployed or looking for work.
Check if New Style Jobseeker's Allowance may apply to you
It usually takes about 5 minutes. You do not need to create an account. This is guidance, not a government decision.
When it may not apply
This is not means-tested in the same way as Universal Credit, but you must meet work-search conditions. Northern Ireland has a similar contribution-based JSA through nidirect.
Where you live
New Style Jobseeker's Allowance applies in England, Scotland and Wales.
Browse benefits in England, Scotland, Wales, or the A–Z list.
Can I get New Style JSA and Universal Credit together?
Yes. New Style JSA is contribution-based. It can be paid with Universal Credit, and it is treated as income for UC. It is not the closed income-based JSA.
How to claim
- Start from the GOV.UK New Style JSA page. This is contribution-based, so National Insurance paid in recent years matters more than savings. You can often claim it with Universal Credit. Official page
- Be available for and actively seeking work. You will usually need to agree a Claimant Commitment. The official page lists who is exempt.
- Have your employment history ready. Recent employers and National Insurance payments are used to check the contribution conditions. HMRC and DWP records are what count, not a guess.
- Do not confuse this with income-based JSA. Income-based JSA has ended for most new claims and was replaced by Universal Credit. New Style JSA is the contribution-based version that still exists.
Official sources
- New Style Jobseeker's Allowance — GOV.UK (primary source)
Related benefits
See all income and work benefits.
Source: Department for Work and Pensions. This page is guidance from an independent service, not a government decision. Only the relevant government department can confirm eligibility and make a payment.
Check if this may apply to you
It usually takes about 5 minutes. You do not need to create an account. This is guidance, not a government decision.